UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Equity Council
Four members of the Department of Medicine are working to bring diversity, equity and inclusion principles into critical areas of UNC Lineberger.
“This is a group of 14 faculty, graduate students, and staff–and we’re in the process of identifying patients and community members–coming together to develop a system that measures and improves equity in cancer research participation,” said Marjory Charlot, MD, assistant professor in the division of oncology.
The Equity Council Executive Core was formed to address diversity, equity and inclusion at UNC Lineberger. Sam Cykert, MD, is Executive Core Co-Chair. Marjory Charlot, MD, MPH, MSc, is an Executive Core Member, and co-chairs the Research Recruitment and Conduct Subcommittee.
Equity Council Members oversee implementation efforts and provide a mechanism for ongoing accountability. Also serving in this group from the Department of Medicine are Fernando Diaz, MD, hematology and oncology fellow, and Jon Serody, MD, chief of hematology.
Critical areas are identified as patient and clinical care; accrual to clinical trials; recruitment and retention; education, training and on-boarding; culture and climate; and enhancing research with an equity lens. Read more.
New Curriculum Seeks Racial Equity in Hematology and Oncology
Charlot is faculty mentor to two oncology fellows, Jacquelyne Gaddy, MD, and Jacob Stein, MD, who have developed a diversity, equity and inclusion curriculum titled “Seeking Racial Equity in Hematology/Oncology.” The program is designed to address implicit bias and racism during medical encounters and in the workplace.
“Jackie and I felt a need to bring the discussions about racism in our society into our professional spaces in a way that can cultivate awareness about biases, and barriers faced by our patients and colleagues of color, while beginning the process of improving our current system,” explained Stein.
Gaddy and Stein connected with Keisha Gibson, MD, vice chair for diversity and inclusion, and several residents involved in Project EMBRACE, to adapt their work to hematology and oncology.
“After developing our goals and objectives for the course, we met with leadership and were thrilled to have an enthusiastic reception from Dr. Basch and Dr. Serody, our division chiefs, as well as Dr. Ma and Dr. Collichio, leadership for the fellowship program.”
All four sessions have been well attended, with small and large group discussions. A survey is now being conducted to evaluate the effects of the course. Stein and Gaddy have also been asked to repeat the course for the clinical protocol office.